Sister Dogs...the Visit!

I stopped over to visit my Dad the other day and my sister has acquired two more dogs!  So, the family now includes four adopted shelter dogs:  one lab mix, one golden mix (from Hurricane Katrina), and two bichon frises!!

It sure was LOUD at their house....thinking perhaps some sort of behavioral modification training might be in order!!  They are all real nice dogs though!!

More of the Tennessee Trip...

Here's a few miscellaneous pics of the trip...it was so nice just to see the sunshine and not to have to wear a coat!! I realize I should have waited a bit til the flowers were out, but with opening the cottage, this is the best time of year for me to go visit!

Since my sister and I used to go to Movie Night every Tuesday night, the timing was perfect for us to watch the Academy Awards together and we celebrated with an Oscar party...lots of snacks!

The Tennessee Trip Begins...

I 'm Back...Sort Of

Had a wonderful visit with my sister but learned that anyone with an autoimmune disease should not travel on airplanes.

I have been in bed and feeling just awful since I stepped in the door.

Lots of pictures to show, but will take some time to get them uploaded and sorted out.

Just up taking meds and heading back to sleep....

Hope all's well with you guys!

Leavin' on a Jet Plane!

I'm on my way to visit my sister...will be online when I can!!

Edited to say: I'll be in Tennessee!!!

Image Courtesy of Business Week

Change of Plans...Love Does Matter

As it turned out, the movie we were going to see...Julie and Julia...my sister had already seen while I was out of town. So, I quickly went online to check what else was playing as we were down to the wire and ready to drive to the theatre. First of all, I adore Jennifer Aniston and any movie she is in...in my opinion...is worth seeing!

So, I saw that Love Matters was playing at the movie theatre that's a bit of a drive...but we could still make the early show.

If you are looking for lots of adventure and activity...then you should really pick another movie! This movie is not one of those stereo-typed quick paced sappy romantic comedies.

You have to pay attention in the beginning of the movie...really listen and watch! I think it was a well written story and told very well. This movie will make you think twice about what is important in life and what isn't.

I found the movie to be very entertaining...and that's the reason I go to the movies in the first place.

Bottom line....I thought it was a good, solid movie with a little humor and alot of truth thrown in!

Movie Night: Julie and Julia

I'm pretty bummed out as my sister and I won't be able to go to the movies on Tuesday anymore...as she is moving out of state.

Hoping to see Julie and Julia! Will let you know what I think!

My Plans for Tonight!

My sister and I are off for another movie night tonight...and we are really looking forward to another comedy! I haven't been very good with my reviews lately...I guess I'll have to do some backtracking. But for now....check out this trailer....

Looking good! The guy really IS funny!

The Glowing Ball

My sister gave me an ornament to hang at the cottage...I thought it was just a cool looking ornament! I did not know that it actually GLOWED!! We took it in due to high winds as the ball is made of glass and set it on the bed in the spare room. When I walked by later, I noticed a strange "glow" so I went to investigate. I tried to take a few shots of it glowing with different settings on my camera. It didn't work very well....but you can kind of see which parts glow in the following pics...

Borglum's Iris Farm Excursion!

As you all know my sister and I usually spend Tuesday nights at the movies. Well, this week there wasn't anything good playing....or anything we wanted to see anyway! So, she suggested we check out this place over in Geneva called Borglum's Iris Farm. Well, I hadn't the faintest idea what to expect, so off we went.....Well, we were thrilled beyond belief at what we found!!! Right around the corner from us practically...beautiful gardens that stretch on forever! I have so many pictures, I had to keep deleting pics off my memory card to take more!! Here are a few...and I am sure there will be lots more popping up as the days and weeks go by...Enjoy!! And check out this place if you get a chance!! It is WELL worth the drive!! Beautiful country out there...

Movie Night: Last Chance Harvey

My sister and I are off to the movies tonight to see Last Chance Harvey!

Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson...both Academy Award Winners! We are really looking forward to seeing this romance / drama...

Back tomorrow with Review!

Snow Angels

Zippo sure enjoys making his snow angels!! It is one of his favorite winter activities. The girlz just love cruising around in the snow...when it is not too deep for them to get lost in it...

And today is Tuesday...Movie Night it is...my sister and I are off to see "Confessions of a Shopaholic"...stop back tomorrow for my review!

Happy Birthday to my Sister!

Seriously...isn't this just THE cutest puppy???? Today is my sister's birthday and she is celebrating her birthday BIG TIME!! Some birthday gift...right???

I'm taking her to dinner and a movie. Since it's Tuesday and all. So we are off to ... "He's Just Not That Into You"

And I promise...back tomorrow with the Review!!

New in Town...The Review!

It could be said that the film, New In Town, with Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick, Jr. is a romantic comedy...but I saw a little more substance in it. I was interested in the accents and the little innuendos that I had read about in the reviews. Yep, there were plenty of them. As my sister pointed out, I thought it was Sarah Palin talkin' there for a minute!!

Personally, I like Renee Zellweger and I think she did a good job in this movie. We laughed alot! It is not a deep movie that you will have any trouble understanding. It is entertaining!!! And that is the reason I go to the movies.

Filmed on location in Canada and not Minnesota, I thought it was quite realistic. Honestly, I can see where real Minnesotans COULD be offended....as they take the accent, the beer drinking, the flannel shirts....and the tapioca a bit far!

There are parts of the movie where it is a bit corny, but funny all the same. I did not see the chemistry between Connick and Zellweger that I saw between Cruise and Zellweger in "Jerry Maguire" but the movie was a warm, romantic comedy with a bit of reality thrown into the mix.

With layoffs and companies going out of business, this film provides a pleasant escape from the real world.

All in all, I thought it was a funny and entertaining flick and I'm glad we saw it!

I ran across an interesting interview that nj.com did with Renee while promoting the film...and the following is an excerpt:

"New in Town" is a restart for Renee Zellweger in the romantic comedy genre, bringing her back to Bridget Jones turf.

She stars as Lucy, a Miami careerist who finds herself stuck in sub-zero Minnesota, dispatched by her corporate bosses to oversee the downsizing of a manufacturing plant. While attempting to get organized and acclimated, she falls for Ted, a union leader portrayed by Harry Connick Jr. Icy pratfalls and tapioca pudding food fights ensue.

The 39-year-old Oscar winner says the role appealed to her as something light to offset her run of serious films like "Appaloosa," "Cinderella Man" and "Cold Mountain."

But with the deepening economic crisis, "New in Town" is topical. It depicts the toll of factory closures on middle America. While the narrative focuses on Lucy's romantic foibles with Ted, the backdrop is a community facing ruin as industrial jobs disappear.

The picture was shot in Winnipeg months before Wall Street faltered, and it has a fairy-tale ending that may not seem plausible in the midst of such a downturn.

During a phone interview, we asked Zellweger if she thinks audiences are ready for a recession comedy. She offered her thoughts on the cultural climate, along with tips on dealing with winter and paparazzi.

Q: After shooting this film in Winnipeg, do you have advice as far as staying warm in extreme temperatures?

A: You need sense of humor and a prayer. Three pairs of pantyhose simultaneously works nicely, too.

Q: Did you have any reservations about shooting this film in a place that's so cold?

A: I had no idea what was in front of us. I had no frame of reference. I'd been in 12-below temperatures. I didn't know what 55-below felt like. They give me a little "Prepare for Winnipeg" packet and I thought, "Okay, I'll wear long johns." I had no idea what that kind of cold meant.

Q: You need layers.

A: It's a whole other kind of thing. Things start to die after about one minute of exposure. It's unbelievable.

Q: Your character makes this real transformation from being a cosmopolitan person to being someone who's more at home in a rural area. Was that transformation part of the appeal of the script for you?

A: Really, I just wanted to laugh. I wanted to go to work and play. I wanted to play on set and I laughed out loud when I read this script. I laughed at the physical comedy. I loved the ridiculousness of the situation Lucy would find herself in and her failed attempts to be perfect in every respect. I found that so entertaining. I couldn't wait to put on those heels and skirts.

Q: The shoes are great.

A: Aren't they?

Q: I would love to wear shoes like that, but I am way too clumsy. It just comes naturally to some people, I guess. They're able to walk in these severe shoes.

A: I did plenty of teetering and they weren't particularly practical in Winnipeg.

Q: This film is suddenly very relevant because of what's going on with the economy.

A: Who could have known how timely it would be. Maybe there was something happening that was a precursor to what's happening now but the idea of this story, I really craved it for some reason.

Q: The fact that it pays tribute to the American workforce?

A: I like the idea of this community of eccentric, eclectic, deceptively not-so-simple people. I wanted to be immersed in that world for awhile.

Q: How was the tapioca pudding?

A: That tapioca pudding was not particularly appetizing after two days in a vat.

Q: Had you been a fan of Harry Connick Jr. as a musician before you were cast with him in this film?

A: Of course. There's no denying his talent. He's a natural entertainer.

Q: And he sings in the film, the Christmas song, when the whole town was singing around the tree.

A: Yeah.

Q: I was wondering why Lucy didn't sing along with everyone. That was something that I noticed.

A: I think it was the kind of thing where she was more taking it in. She was feeling a part of it and noticing that she was a part of it instead of feeling entitled to be a part of it.

Q: Do you think people are ready for a film about downsizing that's comedic in its approach?

A: I'm not sure. I can't see how something that's entertaining, that makes you laugh could be a bad thing right now, especially for anyone who can relate to those circumstances that are represented in the film.

New In Town!

It's Tuesday and my sister and I are off to the movies again...This time to see New In Town with Renee Zellweger.

Will let you all know what we think! In the meantime....we are trying to stay warm as we've been hit with yet another REALLY cold freeze!

So....It's Tuesday!

and Tuesdays mean Movie Night! My sister and I have decided on Marley and Me and possibly the Jim Carrey movie....the name I can't think of right now. Back later with reviews...

I adore Jennifer Anniston and Owen Wilson and LABS.....so I have no doubt that Marley and Me will be a fave.

Really looking forward to four straight hours staring at the screen and checking out for a while!!

My Sister the Jokester

As most of you know....I am in the midst of a life change. My sister, being always the kind-hearted person, gave me some advice!! Enjoy!

WHEN RETIRED HUSBANDS GET BORED SHOPPING

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to
Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and
preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunately, my wife is like
most women - - she loved to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received
the following letter from the local Wal-Mart.

Dear Mrs. Samsel,

Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion
in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban
both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr. Samsel are listed
below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.

1. June 15:
Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts
when they weren't looking.

2. July 2:
Set all the alarm clocks in House wares to go off at 5-minute intervals

3. July 7:
Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.

4. July 19:
Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice,
"Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away."

5. August 4:
Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.

6. August 14:
Moved a "CAUTION - WET FLOOR" sign to a carpeted area.

7. August 15:
Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers
he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from
the bedding department.

8. August 23:
When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed,
"Why can't you people just leave me alone?"

9. September 4:
Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror
while he picked his nose.

10. September 10:
While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk
where the antidepressants were.

11. October 3:
Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the
"Mission Impossible" theme.

12. October 6:
In the auto department, he practiced his "Madonna look"
by using different sizes of funnels.

13. October 18:
Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled
"PICK ME! PICK ME!"

14. October 21:
When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed
a fetal position and screamed "OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!"

And last, but not least...

15. October 23:
Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile,
then yelled very loudly, "Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!"